[622] As Arteche very truly observes, the letter of La Romana cannot be safely quoted (after the fashion of James Moore on his p. 122) as approving of the retreat on Portugal. He is answering the dispatch of Dec. 6, not that of Nov. 28.
[623] Graham to Moore, from Talavera, Dec. 7-8.
[624] Moore to Castlereagh, from Salamanca, Dec. 10.
[625] There were thirty of these dragoons: with them were fifty infantry, apparently a belated detail or foraging party from Lefebvre’s corps.
[626] Berthier speaks as if Mouton were still commanding one of Soult’s divisions, but he was now gone, and Mermet’s name ought to appear.
[627] This dispatch, though often published, has been deliberately omitted (like some others) in the Correspondance de Napoléon, vol. xviii, probably because it shows the Emperor in one of his least omniscient moods.
[628] It is clear from Nap. Corresp., 14,614, 14,616-7, that Franceschi actually evacuated Valladolid and retired northwards. Napoleon at first believed that Moore had occupied the place: but 14,620 mentions that no more happened than that 100 hussars swooped down on it on Dec. 19, and carried off the intendant of the province and 300,000 reals (£3,000) from the treasury. This exploit is omitted by nearly every English writer. Only Vivian mentions it in his diary, and says that the lucky captors belonged to the 18th Hussars (Memoirs, p. 94). What became of the money?
[629] Toreño, being an Asturian, is rather indignant at Romana’s reflection on the Junta of his province, and observes (i. 324) that the Marquis did not take the trouble to ask for help from them, only writing them a single letter during his stay at Leon. But they sent him some tents, and took in some of his sick. From Galicia there was coming for him an enormous convoy with 100 wagons of English boots and clothes: but it was three weeks too late, and had only reached Lugo by Jan. 1.
[630] Romana to Moore, from Leon, Dec. 14.
[631] Possibly the two light infantry battalions (Catalonia and Barcelona) of the Baltic division.